Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1012. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to establish a third-level veterinary course in Munster. [12789/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Higher Education Authority is currently reviewing, with an Expert Panel expressions of interest to build capacity in Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Dentistry and Veterinary from 2024/2025.

I understand from the HEA that overall, responses represented a rapid, nationwide engagement with the call, with expressions of interest in developing new courses in Pharmacy and Veterinary from all four provinces.

As the Expert Panel is currently reviewing the applications, it is not possible to say at this time how many places may be delivered or where these programmes may be located. The Higher Education Authority will consider opportunities for new programme provision alongside options for current programme expansion to determine a final list of options to present to me in the coming weeks.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1013. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will implement a review of the CAO points system to allow more students access the course of their choice (details supplied). [12832/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It is a priority of my Department to expand the pathways to tertiary education and expand provision of courses, particularly in areas of acute skills demand.

There are a range of options in the system, and pathways to careers that students can consider. For anyone who doesn’t gain access to their course of choice immediately, there is often an alternative education path available to them. That could be through further education or apprenticeship, or through other courses in higher education.

The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) determine their own procedures for admission, in line with their statutory autonomy. The Central Applications Office (CAO), who are an independent body, process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf.

Decisions on admissions are made by the Higher Education Institutions who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO or the admissions decisions of institutions.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1014. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ease the financial burdens on third level students and their families. [12833/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy may be aware that I already instigated improvements to the student grant scheme in Budget 2022. For the academic year 2022/23, I increased the income threshold to qualify for the standard rate of student grant by €1,000 & all maintenance grant holders benefited from an increase of €200.

I also announced a range of further measures to enhance the scheme as part of Budget 2023.

Some of these cost-of-living measures commenced in 2022.

As part of the Government's cost of living measures, every SUSI maintenance grant recipient received an additional once-off extra maintenance payment to be paid by the end of December 2022. This included PLC, undergraduate and Postgraduate Students who are in receipt of the Special Rate of Grant.

All higher education students who are eligible for the fees initiative benefited from a once off reduction in the Student Contribution rate of €1,000 for the 2022/2023 academic year. For those on the 50% Student Contribution rate this reduction meant that the balance the student paid to their Higher Education Institution was €1,000 (a reduction of €500) for the current academic year.

PhD students funded by the SFI and the IRC also benefited from a once off payment of €500 in the current academic year.

Post Graduate Students who met the eligibility criteria for a Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant benefited from a once off increase in this grant of €1,000 from €3,500 to €4,500.

In addition, I increased all maintenance grants effective from January 2023 in order to provide further financial assistance to those students most in need. The special rate and Band 1 rate of maintenance increased by 14% and all other maintenance grant rates increased by 10%.

I have also made two changes to the income thresholds for the student contribution grant for the academic year 2023/24 which will reduce the cost of education for students and families by:-

- Increasing the income limit from €55,240 to €62,000 for students to avail of the 50% Undergraduate Student Contribution and

- Introducing a new Student Contribution grant to the value of €500 for qualifying families on incomes earning between €62,000 and €100,000.

It is estimated that between 42,500 and 50,000 families could receive support under the Student Grant Scheme in 2023 for the first time as a result of these measures.

I have introduced two further measures whereby income up to €14,000 as declared to Revenue under the Government's Rent a Room Scheme will not be counted as reckonable income when calculating eligibility for the 2023/2024 academic year. In addition, the holiday earnings provision under the Student Grant Scheme will allow for a deduction up to a maximum amount of €6552 (an increase from €4500) to be applied to student earnings outside of term time within the reference period when calculating reckonable income for grant eligibility for the 2023/2024 academic year. As a result of both measures some students may find that they will receive a higher rate of grant and some new students may also find themselves eligible for a grant for the first time once these measures are introduced.

In addition, for the 2022/2023 Academic Year, a further €8 million of funding has been secured for the Student Assistance Fund for the current academic year. Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The Fund provides financial support to students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college. Students can apply for SAF to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties and can be assisted towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. It is open to both full and part-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. It is designed to provide a source of financial support in addition to a SUSI grant.

Applications can be made under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) through the Access Office in the third level institution you are attending. They will have more information concerning their own HEI. More information on this fund and other supports are also available at www.studentfinance.ie.